Chapter 8 (August)
Author's Note: WARNING: None for this chapter, however, this is advanced warning that part two will contain smut between Ian and Merida. On to historical notes!
Per Wikipedia: Viking raids were a thing along the coast of England and Scotland in the mid to high middle ages. These raids continued for the entirety of the Viking Age and Vikings would target monasteries along the coast, raid the towns for their booty, and were known to set fires in their wake. While there is evidence that Viking arson attacks did occur, more recent scholarship has cast doubt on quite how severe the physical damages (rather than their psychological impact) truly were.
Per prior research (various sources): When the men were gone, the women would take over all the roles the men had. So Vevina and Merida taking stepping into different roles and defending their home would be their next step. Kevin would leave with them typically but for the sake of drama, it's just Ian leaving.
As always a special thanks to the fabulous MaidenoftheSummer on reddit for reading and giving me her valuable opinion.
Culture Note: nothing specific!
Merida sat up in the bed unable to sleep looking around the room tossing her curls to the side. It didn't sound like it was raining as she turned to see if Ian was awake before noticing he was gone. That was odd, he was still sleeping when she was up four hours ago.
Sighing she sank into the large pillows just to think.
July passed as Merida found a rhythm in Clan MacGuffin. She attended fiddle and harp lessons with her new sisters. Vevina had taken her out shooting, her bow and Vevina's dagger in hand. She had time for just her and Angus together. Kevin was eager to tell the tales of the land. Ewan and Owen often teamed up with her to sneak sweets from the kitchen.
Her relationship with Ian is what changed the most. They had gone from hand holding to stolen kisses in the corridors; their secret kisses, shared in fleeting moments of privacy, were charged with a growing intensity that neither of them had anticipated. Friendly conversations about their day-to-day turned to late-night, deep discussions where they revealed their innermost thoughts and fears.
In another month she'd complete her training on how to be the next "Lady MacGuffin" and be able to run everything in the castle. From what clothes get made, the food, where the money went and more. They co-planned Lughnasadh and Samhain together with hopes that Merida would do Yule herself. Then Vevina would pick up any lessons concerning her royal training in the new year.
Plus she was still able to explore the new land, ride Angus, and practice her archery. The biggest change with that was that she'd bring Ian with her sometimes.
That "sometimes" was turning into "usually" lately as she thought of the last time they had truly alone time together blushing.
Their horses grazed in a nearby field as early morning dew drops formed on the grass. A light misty sprinkle of rain made the green forest appear almost mystical under gray skies. Slabs of rock half covered with moss crossed a rippling stream. A tent was set up where their stuff stayed (mostly) dry.
Merida felt like a water spirit as she bounded from one large smooth rock to the next, her feet bare and forest green dress swirled behind her. Her hair unbound as she turned to grin who was following behind her carefully.
"You're a little bit behind," she called, turning back to him and skipping back a couple of rocks away. Then her foot slipped as she felt Ian catching her hand pulling her back up.
She flushed a little as he helped steady her with a hand on the small of her back and didn't leave.
"Here," he said, spinning her around to face the waterfall behind them.
"It's beautiful," she said, just taking in nature. She hadn't seen this part of clan MacGuffins land yet. Ian had taken her hand and helped her sit down on the mossy rock.
"I like to come out here and think," he said, watching the waterfall.
She closed her eyes and listened to nature as she swayed a little, fish swimming around her feet, and she gripped his hand. She leaned against him enjoying the moment as her head rested against his shoulder.
Ian shifted as she peeked up at him through her curls and saw him smiling. It was quiet and peaceful and she could see why he'd escape here for some stolen time. He had found some rocks and started to skip them and passed a few to her.
"This is peaceful," she said, disappointed to see hers skip twice when his stone skipped five times.
Ian turned toward her as she sat up and turned to look at him as he leaned in to kiss her. She gasped into the kiss before she kissed back.
"What was that for?" she asked as they parted his head leaning against hers. One hand on her thigh and the other holding her close.
"I like kissing you and holding you," he said feeling bold; after all, they were alone in a beautiful spot where he felt comfortable. Her cheeks colored as she shifted closer to him. "You look lovely in green."
"Thanks. I guess the clan MacGuffin colors agree with my complexion," she said with a laugh. He said such nice things that she didn't know how to return it properly, but liked his words.
"I'm trying to figure out what you like, well, when it comes to romance."
"What I like," she said as she tried to think of her cheeks pink. "I… I don't know. My dad likes to slap mum's rump, but I'm pretty positive I don't like that."
He laughed as he went to lay back on the slab of rock. "And she liked it?"
"I guess," she snorted, reaching for the bow from the sling in her back and laid against him. "I've never flirted with a boy before, you'd be the first and only. What other ways are there?"
"Well," he said, watching her. She could see the shy guy she knew become a little more confident. "Do you prefer spending time together, physically touching, pretty words, gifts?"
"I don't know anyone who would pass on a gift," she said doubtfully.
"You do, my mum," he said shifting, "she'd said she'd rather spend more time with my dad than any silly trinket he'd give her."
She hid a smile as she gave a half shrug. "I don't know about trinkets but waking up to a plate of sweets sounds pretty good to me. I agree with your mum, spending time together is more important than any piece of jewelry. What were the other two?"
"Pretty words and um physical touching."
Merida didn't move as she thought about it. "Well I wouldn't want sonnets recited to me, but compliments are always nice." There was a beat as she thought about touch. "And sitting there earlier felt nice, holding hands and my head on your shoulder."
Getting a little hot Merida sat up in her bed at the memory. Something felt off as she sleepily got out of bed. She threw a forest green robe on and slippers as she went to look out the small window up at the sky. In the distance she could see orange on the horizon. Odd. It wasn't the sun rising, but maybe a type of lightning?
"Merida hurry," said Ian, throwing open their door. Before she could question it, Ian had taken her hand and another on her lower back ushering her out the door. "Vikings in the east."
Part of her was scared at that as she tightened the dressing gown around her, only to realize she'd grabbed Ian's. The other part of her was interested to see some action; while she was starting to like married life it was starting to get a little monotonous.
Her hair still wild flew behind her as they entered the servants quarters. She bound down steps as she realized they weren't going to a cellar to stay safe.
"You need to be here for these even if you're not participating fully," said Vevina, meeting them, throwing open the door to the war room. Ian made a beeline to his dad after kissing her.
Surrounding her were men of all shapes and sizes. The weaponry spilled open and weapons in hand. Spears, bows and arrows, swords, and daggers were being passed around. Her bow was long abandoned upstairs as she was handed a new one. Uneasily she glanced as her mother-in-law pocketed a dagger of her own as she slung hers around her.
Suddenly she didn't feel so good as she glanced around the room. Merida spotted Kevin and Ian with five other men standing around a table with a map and what looked like modified chess pieces.
Six months ago if she was asked if she could handle battle and war, she'd say of course and do whatever it took to lead or whatever. Being here in the moment and seeing people prepare to die, Merida suddenly felt sick. 'I guess there's a difference between saying you can do something and then actually doing it,' she thought.
"Um Vevina," she said, "can I ask you something."
"And what's that?" she asked kindly, looking up from passing out weapons to the remaining people.
"Should I really be here?" she asked pathetically. "I mean we're the only women and I'm not sure what I'm going to do."
"Right," said Vevina snapping to give her attention, "we're going to make sure everyone has a weapon first and if they don't give them one. Next we give all of them a made up saddle bag. You know those medicines you're in charge of making?" Merida nodded knowing that she just made something to help with pain. "Those along with some non-perishable foods are packed into one side. The stable hands are outside getting horses ready. Four men make the decisions on what to do. Kevin, Barclay is one of our best fighters and first in command, Shane is a great strategist, and Rory-"
She was cut off describing him as they all seemed to come together about something. Vevina gripped her beaded necklace and sighed.
"It's happened multiple times before and I hate when they do this," said Vevina and sighed.
Ian was saying something to the men and stood in the center of the room. His father stepping aside as the announcement came clear across the room. Ian was going to be leading the troops to the raids instead of him.
Merida felt her knees wobble at the announcement, surprised. He was being sent out. He was taking his dad's place and Kevin was staying here in case the raids got this far. Ian was going to be leading them and could possibly die. Around them the men swarmed to the prepared horses and she got bumped from behind.
She shook her head no and gripped the robe. When Vevina mentioned them going out to fight raiders she wasn't prepared for the reality of it.
"Ian!" she called, making her way to him. Vevina tried to hold her back from running into the rush and she found herself lost in the middle of tall muscular men before seeing him near the front. "Ian!"
"Merida," he said, giving his dad a sign that he'd need a minute. Kevin took this moment to look for his wife and said that they'd be leaving soon. "Are you ok?"
"Am I ok?!" she demanded, "you're the one being sent into battle. I don't understand what happened?"
"I don't have the time to explain it," he said quietly as he got on her eye level. "Merida, before I leave you need to know that I love you. You're like another part of me and I'll be thinking of you everyday."
The way he said that with such tenderness made her shake and if she could she'd begged him into switching places. This wasn't fair that he had to be the one to leave. They hadn't even…
She nodded her head and swallowed. She wasn't normally the type to cry and she wasn't about to show that she couldn't handle herself in this situation.
"Please come back and stay alive," she said. "I care too much about you and-"
Merida surprised him and even herself by pulling him in for a kiss, a long hard one and she wrapped an arm around his neck. She could hear a wolf whistle from someone in the crowd of men. They broke apart as she kept her eyes on him.
"There's more where that comes from when you come back."
She didn't know where that came from but Ian looked surprised and pleased.
"Really?"
"Really."
The men were gone but that didn't mean Vevina was done with her just yet after they left. In fact, she was pretty happy to learn that she had to keep her bow on her at all times even if it was to kill someone (except of course in the kitchen). She showed her where everyone would go to meet up which included going to the servants quarters to get to the cellar.
"The kids are gathered by our head nursemaid, Isobel. Everyone goes down there for the first 12 hours. It's our job to defend the home in case the fighting ever gets this far. This includes rounds. Where do you want to go first? Stables, tower, front gate? Wherever you pick is going to be your main station for the first couple of hours then walking the castle. Archery is your expertise so maybe somewhere higher?"
"I haven't thought about that," she said and knew she had to make a decision. She treated her archery as a hobby not something to use in a war. "Somewhere higher is good that way I also have the advantage. Plus I'm good at scaling down tall places."
"Great, I'll introduce you to Morven," said Vevina, "she usually leads the higher level rounds. We'll have you trained in every place and of course eventually take over for me. This is your first time doing this, so I understand if you're flustered."
"It's fine," said Merida after a minute taking all that in. She just wondered how long this was going to last.
It had been three weeks as Merida found herself watching the trees again from the highest points in the castle. Some nights she'd hold the brooch he got her and others she'd wear the robe from that night.
~*~*~One Week Later~*~*~
Life at castle MacGuffin seemed to go on as she waited for him to come home. She was never much of a patient person and this was just as maddening. None of the pages had returned yet with news. Vevina and Kevin didn't seem too worried, Kevin even told her that one time he was gone for three months and not three weeks and the pages would come when they had time.
That was a horrifying thought that one day she would have to go months and not know a thing. Una's birthday was a bright spot as she couldn't help but wish Ian was there to see her cut her own cake for the first time.
So she busied herself; played games with the younger ones, talked with her in-laws, wrote letters, and did the accounts. Until someone came back no one was really allowed to ride alone although she did visit Angus. She played with Mungo even though he was technically their sheep dog now.
"What do you do all day?" asked Merida looking up at Kevin one afternoon. She had talked with Kevin about his friendship with her dad and other topics before but she never asked what he did all day.
"You know how Vevina taught you the accounts with the castle?" said Kevin, pleased that she was interested.
"Yes," she said curiously.
"I do that with the land owners and the harvest reports. Settle complaints, train soldiers, visit the land, make sure everyone's crops and farms are growing and healthy. I officiate marriages if a druid can't make it."
She imagined the accounts and times it by the many landowners that gave them taxes and winced, that sounded awful. She could only imagine her dad trying to learn that before he married her mum. He must have been relieved when her uncle Sean took over duties of being Lord of Clan DunBroch.
"The training was awful for him," said Kevin as she realized that she said that out loud. "He's a great leader at wartime and fun at parties while being a top warrior. However, I'd imagine he's a little bored now on the throne. The everyday tasks of the throne seemed to fall upon your mother."
She could only imagine what her mother was doing. Her aunt Greer and uncle Sean were running the clan, how much more work was it to run the kingdom? She shuddered at what would happen in her new lessons.
"Well that was insightful," she said, impressed that he did all of that.
"If you ever want to come out with us, feel free to ask anytime," said Kevin as Ewan yelled for her to come play a game. Kevin gestured for her to go before turning back to his own books.
"Check mate," said Ewan about twenty minutes later smugly as she just grinned at him.
"Alright you win two out of three. I owe you my dessert tomorrow."
"Want to play again?" he asked, moving the pieces back.
"And lose dessert for the next three days?" she said with a small humph and made a funny face at him. "No thank you. Why not try to teach Owen? Or play with Annabel?"
He just nodded before getting up to play with another sibling. Merida watched him join Annabel and she went to the paperwork she left lying at the table. She played marbles with Owen, played the fiddle with Annabel, and Fox and Geese with Una. She should be looking at the accounts or writing a letter instead she found herself doodling. Thinking of Ian.
They only knew each other for roughly four months. They've been married for three and a half. She spent seventeen hours of the day and seven days a week with him and his family. Even when she was sleeping she was sleeping next to him.
And she missed him. Not to where it hurt but a dull ache in her chest took over when she thought about him too much. She rested her chin on her fist drawing horses, suns, and swirls on the corners of the letter addressed to Logan.
"I think I'm going to turn in," said Merida, quickly shutting the account books, making sure the ink was dry first.
"I'll walk you up," said Vevina quickly, giving her husband a quick kiss as she turned her head.
Once they were away from the grand hall a comfortable silence enveloped them.
"You know my dad was Keith's, he's Kevin's father, best fighter in his army," started Vevina as Merida looked at her. "We were really close, he taught me how to use a dagger, sword, and a bow. I got used to seeing him go away to fight in the raids. Even though he was a great fighter and taught me all he knew, I was still scared thinking he'd never come back. When I married Kevin, I was scared for him. Then when they sent my son out I was even more terrified. There's always a chance they won't come back, but they usually always will."
Merida was silent as she looked down at the stone floor and shifted.
"Thanks," she said, "could I ask you something else?
"Of course I'd be happy to help. Or listen."
Merida debated on the two she had to ask. Biting her bottom lip she made a face since both were awkward questions about her son. She was patient and led her into the bedroom for privacy.
She drew her knees up to her chest and buried her face in her knees. Then just spilled her heart out.
"So when Ian left, he told me that he loves me. And I didn't say it back but I told him, well at least implied, that I'd be willing to do the thing to make babies. We'd been avoiding it, or rather I've been avoiding it because it seems so personal and I got scared to be intimate with someone. He even cut himself at the bedding ceremony to make it look like it happened. Now he's gone and it hurts. Not like the kind where all seems hopeless but there's a rock in the pit of my stomach. I think I love him now. It's like a part of me is missing. He says that I'm like another part of him and I didn't know what meant until now I guess. Now when he comes home I'll be nervous about actually doing that and I want it. How do you say I love you to someone? I don't like talking about my feelings or mushy stuff. I hate crying and now I feel like… I don't know what to do."
She felt Vevina reach over to her and pull her into a hug. Merida felt arms wrap around her as she curled up into Vevina and for a second she felt like a little girl again being comforted by her mother. One of her hands was stroking her hair.
It was quiet as she just savored the hug.
"Merida, you've been through a lot in the last couple of months," said Vevina brushing her curls away from her cheek. "You got married, left your home, you have more duties and responsibilities, and you're probably really home sick. Ian tells me that you didn't even want all of this, correct?"
She nodded mutely wondering where Vevina was going with this. She pulled her into another hug.
"It's a lot for one person, much less a sixteen year old," she said. "You may be an adult, a young one anyway so it's natural that you're confused since a lot of this is new to you. Honestly, based on everything you told me. You'll know when it's time to say it and Ian will understand. As for the intimate part, if you don't want to do it, you don't have to do it. He may be early to express his feelings but I know he'll be understanding. You may feel nervous but you have no reason to be afraid, and listen to your body it knows what it's doing."
Merida smiled as she pulled her into a hug next.
"Thank you."
"I think I should be the one thanking you," she said, "for being kind to my son and coming to me for advice. I should let you sleep and think about things and I'll see you in the morning."
With that she kissed her head and Merida striped her top dresses off and curled up in the bed alone. She wondered what advice her mother would give her before thinking about Vevina. She was really glad to have her around.
